PREHISTORIC ADVENTURES LIVING MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
PROJECT
SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN
Our campaign intention is to raise enough funds to secure
a location and begin the process of opening a natural history museum to the
public.
What is Prehistoric Adventures?
Prehistoric Adventures is a registered nonprofit
organization dedicated to opening a natural history museum in Superior,
Wisconsin. Prehistoric Adventures Living Museum of Natural History will embody
both themes of a traditional museum mixed in with modern museum themes. The "living museum" concept is an exhibit trend in American museums today. Several
living museums or similar concepts can be found across the United States
including California, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, South Dakota,
Minnesota, and even Wisconsin. Prehistoric Adventure exhibits will focus on the
ancient natural history of prehistoric creatures and “living” exhibits of
present natural history. Comparing the lost world of the past with the
challenges facing the natural world of the present from wetlands to rain forests
will be highlighted. Local species will be discussed to give a local connection
to conservation topics such as the monarch butterfly and the honey bee. The
mission of Prehistoric Adventures is not only to function as a popular
recreational choice but also to be an important educational resource to the
community. Efforts will be made to partner with local schools and environmental
programs as well as participation in the mentoring program and eventual
accreditation with The American Alliance of Museums (AAM).
Who are we?
Our advisory board is made up of locals and experts to
assist us with this grand project. Our Executive Director is Mr. Matthew
Waterhouse. Mr. Waterhouse is a Twin Ports native and no stranger to tourist
attractions with a resume that includes the Walt Disney Company, the Sea
World/Busch Gardens parks, and several other tourism and hospitality entities.
Mr. Waterhouse also has managerial experience as well as a business degree to
professionally lead this ambitious project.
Project status:
First priority is to secure a location for the museum,
renovate an existing structure or build a facility, then open it to the general
public. Public outreaches, grant applications, exhibit sponsorships, and all
other aspects of starting a museum will be involved but first Prehistoric
Adventures needs a home.
One candidate location would be the Carnegie Library
building on Hammond Avenue in Superior. It is currently unoccupied, for sale,
and even looks like a museum. Not only would this project restore such an
iconic building but it would also provide it with a stable and practical use.
This particular building does qualify for Historical Registration according to
the Wisconsin Historical Society which would qualify it for grants and other
historical structure funding.
Why Superior/Duluth?:
Reasons for this attraction to locate in the Twin Ports
are abundant. Twin Ports tourism is growing every year for instance in 2015
five more hotels and a large resort plan to open. Seasonal temporary
dinosaur-themed attractions are frequently exhibited in Duluth suggesting a
permanent dinosaur attraction would not only be stable but successful. Among
the menu of local attractions there no natural history museum and the nearest
dinosaur museums are in Saint Paul, Milwaukee, or Chicago. Additionally
unoccupied historical structures in the area are in real danger of demolition.
To lose such genuine architectural treasures would be a shame especially if
they could be restored for further practical use as a natural history museum.
Potential supporters who we have introduced our ideas
to thus far:
Bruce Hagen, Mayor of Superior
Jason Serck, City of Superior, City Planner
The Office of State Representative Nick Milroy
The Office of State Senator Robert Jauch
Taylor Pedersen, Chamber of Commerce of Superior Douglas
County
Bob Swanson & the Board of Directors of the Friends
of the Superior Carnegie Library LLC
Future supporter meetings include:
City of Superior City Council
Douglas County Board of Commissioners
The Office of State Senator Janet Bewley
Several potential corporate sponsors/investors
AND MANY MORE!
Some of the professionals we consult or who have
helped us so far:
Tim Meyer, Meyer Group Architecture
Bill Williams, Assured Home Inspections
Meghan Elliott, Preservation Design Works LLC
Organizations and partners we hope to work with:
University of Wisconsin Superior
City of Superior Public Museums
City of Superior Parks and Recreation Department
Douglas County Forest, Parks, and Recreation Committee
Douglas County Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society, State of Wisconsin
Department of Tourism, State of Wisconsin
Department of Tourism, State of Minnesota
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
Visit Duluth
University of Minnesota Duluth
Superior Schools District
Duluth Public Schools District
Hermantown Schools District
American Museum Alliance
Kenosha Dinosaur Museum
Cable Natural History Museum
AND MANY MORE!